Neurodivergent Minds

THE OBJECTS OF THE CIO ARE, FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE MENTAL HEALTH OF NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, BY MEANS OF, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY:(A) ISSUING GRANTS TO NEURODIVERGENT INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY, TO ENABLE ACCESS TO APPROVED, NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING THERAPISTS;(B) CONNECTING NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE WITH EFFECTIVE, NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING SUPPORT;(C) PROVIDING EVIDENCE-BASED INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE FOR NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE ON UNDERSTANDING THEIR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS;(D) SEEKING TO ADVANCE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE STAFF AND OTHER PRIMARY POINTS OF CONTACT FOR NEURODIVERGENT PEOPLE;(E) EDUCATING PUBLIC SERVICE PROVIDERS, ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS AND THE WIDER POPULATION ON NEURODIVERSITY, ACCEPTANCE AND GENUINE INCLUSION, PROMOTING ACCEPTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIFFERING ABILITIES AND NEEDS OF ALL INDIVIDUALS AND COMBATING STIGMA AND DISCRIMINATION.FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CLAUSE:“NEURODIVERSITY” REFERS TO THE NATURAL VARIATION IN NEURODEVELOPMENT ACROSS ALL INDIVIDUALS - THE DIVERSITY OF ALL BRAINS AND MINDS.“NEURODIVERGENT” DESCRIBES A PERSON WHOSE NEURODEVELOPMENT FALLS OUTSIDE OF THE ‘TYPICAL’ RANGE, INCLUDING NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES SUCH AS AUTISM, ADHD, DYSLEXIA, DYSPRAXIA AND TOURETTE’S SYNDROME.“NEURODIVERSITY-AFFIRMING” MEANS AN APPROACH WHICH EMBRACES NEURODIVERSITY AND SEEKS TO UNDERSTAND AN INDIVIDUAL’S UNIQUE PROFILE OF STRENGTHS, INTERESTS AND SUPPORT NEEDS, EMPOWERING THE INDIVIDUAL TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR NEEDS AND SUPPORTING THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL GOALS.